Colonial goodies - lead for silver and why dont you have a drink....

[HomeGuardDan]

Colonial goodies - lead for silver and why don't you have a drink....

I got out on Saturday with my good pal Bill D. and my father (who was up visiting) joined us for a day of colonial relic hunting at one of our latest sites. The day started out slow and to be honest, it stayed slow, but consistent all day. I was a little astonished at the total once I cleaned everything up, though we were steadily digging stuff.

While I was not able to get over silver like Bill (his cob) and my father (cut pistareen), I was able to bring home some unique pieces. My favorite piece was this early (1700s) spigot including the key. I hit a nice patch of iron and debris and hunkered down digging a few buttons and other odds and ends. I located the broken key first, then the main valve and searched on and on for the barrel to no avail. A short time later my father walked up and he was holding the missing piece (which he generously gave me) that he recovered on his initial pass through this particular spot.

Earlier in the morning I was hitting an area where a few buttons came from including a very early and crude molded/cast lead button with the shank still intact. A short while later I located what I initially thought was a blob of melted lead until I turned it over. I first thought it was a seal, though I was perplexed as the reverse was nothing more than a melted blob of lead, then after cleaning it off, it appeared to be a pistareen (shield) punched into it. I had recovered an early seated liberty version years ago in a CW camp and thought that this must be the case. However, after more cleaning, now I am unsure...very cool either way. Some angles I see the pistareen and others I don't. I will let you be the judge.

One of my last finds of the day was the portion to an early candle snuffer (I think). These seem to turn up in this area quit a bit as Bill recovered a portion of one a few years back on the same farm and I a stand a mile down the road. The broken candle holder rounded off the day of big finds along with plenty of lead, brass buckles and broken shoe buckles.

My total for the day was 25 buttons (initially thought 24 until I found the broken one mixed in with a bunch of sheet brass). No coin for danny boy, but a pile of colonial goodies none-the-less. I'll get them next time, Bill is now 1 silver coin up on me and a couple of coppers as well - i have some catching up to do.

HH

Dan

 

[ModernMiner]

OK Dan, I'm embarrassed to post my measly finds after seeing your haul.
You and Bill are unbelievable!!!! Congrats on all of your recoveries.
-Doug-

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Man you guys really did have a great hunt. I love digging those old spigots, I can picture a colonial tavern with the wooden casks or Hogs Heads full of ale or rum and these spigots ready to despence the refreshments to the ole boys sitting around the table with their tankards and clay smoking pipes.
Your pewter button with the pistareen imprint in it is really interesting. Both Rick and I dug one of those each this summer up here in Nova Scotia. Maybe our colonial settler came up from your neck of the woods, at the very least the went to the same tailor.
ZDD

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Man you guys really did have a great hunt. I love digging those old spigots, I can picture a colonial tavern with the wooden casks or Hogs Heads full of ale or rum and these spigots ready to despence the refreshments to the ole boys sitting around the table with their tankards and clay smoking pipes.
Your pewter button with the pistareen imprint in it is really interesting. Both Rick and I dug one of those each this summer up here in Nova Scotia. Maybe our colonial settler came up from your neck of the woods, at the very least the went to the same tailor.
ZDD

Dave - for some reason I can't recall those buttons you guys found. Could you repost those pics? I'd love to see them.

 

[metalev4]

Nice recoveries. Looks like a Pistareen to me, definitely a unique find. Looking forward to the next batch. Good luck with the coin contest, Bills is a fierce competitor.
-Evan

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Dave - for some reason I can't recall those buttons you guys found. Could you repost those pics? I'd love to see them.

Sorry I couldn't reply earlier Bill but I had to take my wife to the city today. Here is some shots of mine perhaps Rick might log on and post up a pic of his.


ZDD

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Dave - for some reason I can't recall those buttons you guys found. Could you repost those pics? I'd love to see them.

I can read nearly the entire date on the one I found. of 176?, as well IP found a mould for making them the same year, last year 2013.



Great stuff as usual Dan. Seems everybody looking at greener pastures, and we can certainly look at VA as those greener pastures, BUt NS has a thing or two to offer...and so does MA.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

I can read nearly the entire date on the one I found. of 176?, as well IP found a mould for making them the same year, last year 2013.

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1090721"/>

Great stuff as usual Dan. Seems everybody looking at greener pastures, and we can certainly look at VA as those greener pastures, BUt NS has a thing or two to offer...and so does MA.

Thanks Rick & Dave. Those are really cool! I just love to see those unique little pieces of history.

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Your right Bill, they are unique pieces of our history and one that I am sure not many, if not any museums have examples of these in there collections.
HH Buddy,
ZDD

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Beautiful finds Dan, love that brass barrel spigot!
You've got a great collection of flat buttons going there too... I get excited whenever I just dig one!

Dave

 

[HomeGuardDan]

I can read nearly the entire date on the one I found. of 176?, as well IP found a mould for making them the same year, last year 2013.

View attachment 1090721

Great stuff as usual Dan. Seems everybody looking at greener pastures, and we can certainly look at VA as those greener pastures, BUt NS has a thing or two to offer...and so does MA.

Hey Rick,

Nice button man. I believe yours is actually a political button (intentionally cast). It obviously has not been pressed in as your details are raised as they would have been indented. I dug one of those buttons a few years back in a Colonial pit. They are very unique and while I have seen a few, they have just been that, a few...fairly uncommon.

Patriotic & Commemorative Buttons

This link will show you examples of some.

 

[HomeGuardDan]

Beautiful finds Dan, love that brass barrel spigot!
You've got a great collection of flat buttons going there too... I get excited whenever I just dig one!

Dave

Thanks man - I love finding them...I have been fortunate and have thousands of them, on rainy days they are fun to just pour out on a desk and look through them.

 

[toddsumm1]

Colonial goodies - lead for silver and why don't you have a drink....

Thanks man - I love finding them...I have been fortunate and have thousands of them, on rainy days they are fun to just pour out on a desk and look through them.

I agree...just pulled out my flats this evening showing my kids. Discoved the one item I thought was a dandy was in fact a CT copper. I thought it was a little too heavy.

 

[toddsumm1]

Tried to get a pic.

 

[John in Wilmington]

Thanks Bill
Sorry I took so long to respond. Always fun digging with you and Dan. Thanks for the ID of both pieces. It amazes me the diversity of artifacts that get uncovered in colonial sites.
Maybe we will see you during the holidays.
John